The Ballestero Blog

YES, Is The Answer. Now, What Is The Question?

A fast food chain currently uses this for a slogan. It’s nothing new, really. Actually it’s been around for thousands of years. God’s blessed people have always lived with this mindset.

The willingness to do whatever God requests is a trait that will not only save and bless us, but also keep us saved and blessed. Most Pentecostals are familiar with the words of the song that says, “Yes Lord. Yes Lord. From the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul, Yes Lord…”

Remember singing that song and feeling the sweet presence of the Lord sweep over you? Remember too the old-timers singing, “Is Your All On The Altar?”

There’s a reason for that. A very good reason. God blesses willingness and submission.

Ezra And The Willing People

Neh 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.

• Notice the spirit of unity. They gathered as one.
• They requested that the scribe Ezra bring the book of the law and read it to them.
• They wanted to hear the law.

Neh 8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

Neh 8:3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

• Everyone old enough to understand came.
• Ezra read from morning until midday

Neh 8:5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Neh 8:6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

• Ezra opened the book.
• The people stood up in reverence.
• Ezra blessed the Lord
• The People raised their hands and said, Amen, Amen
• They said Amen before the law was read.
• Then the bowed their heads to the ground and worshipped.

They Were So Hungry To Hear The Word Of The Lord That They All Said Amen Before They Heard What The Law Told Them To Do.

It’s not uncommon to see new converts who have experienced the joys of repentance, baptism in Jesus Name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues ask the pastor, “Now, tell me what I need to do.”

Remember Praying Like This?

• I’ll do what you want me to do.
• I say what you want me to say.
• I’ll go where you want me to go.
• I’ll be what you want me to be.

Most young people in my generation never knew it was OK to say no at church. When we were asked to do something like,

• Teach a Sunday School Class,
• Sing a special song,
• Play an instrument,
• Testify,
• Go on visitation,
• Usher,
• Clean the church
• Give a sermonette
• Or whatever,

We just said knew ahead of time that we would say yes.

Mary

Mary the mother of Jesus even told the servants at the Wedding in Cana, that whatever Jesus asked them to do, do it.

Samuel

Little Samuel had the willingness to do whatever was requested and ran to do the bidding of Eli not knowing that it was the Lord speaking to him.

Rebecca

Rebecca was so willing to serve the stranger with camels that she not only offered to water them but also ran to do her duty.

God has always looked for willingness in his people. Those who choose to say no to Him, don’t seem to last long or be used in His Kingdom.

How Did The Spirit Of Questioning Everything Get Into The Church?

• Some read the scripture and say they are not convicted.
• Some read the scriptures and say they do not apply to us.
• Some hear preaching and are not receptive at all.
• Others choose to read only scriptures that speak of blessings and miracles.
• They reject anything that looks like doctrine
• They say no to the word holiness.
• They refuse to separate themselves from the world.

God’s First Principle Of Blessing And Growth

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Israel Wouldn’t Go Over Into The Promised Land

Deut 1:26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:

• A whole generation died.

Because You Would Not Be Obedient

Deut 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deut 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Deut 8:20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Jerusalem Said No To The Messiah

Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Israel Said No To The Spiritual Rest

Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

What Makes Some Say No?

Before You Say No To Anything God Asks…

• Ask yourself,
• How does rebellion start?
• What is rebellion?
• Does God view my spirit as rebellious?
• Am I rebellious?
• How do I change?

Changing From Rebellion To Submission Should Be Easy.

• It’s a one-word change.
• What once was a No… change it to a Yes.

Are You Brave Enough To Say, “No” To God?

Me either.

You are free to choose how you wish to respond to God’s call, His wishes and His Word.

But as for me…

YES, Is My Answer. Now, What Is The Question?

Deut 10:12 … what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,